Thursday, August 27, 2009

I've been feeling that our family's diet could use some improvement, and this book gave a pretty decent nutritional review and suggestions. One thing I liked was teaching your kids about "grow foods", the kinds of food that will help them to grow stronger and smarter. What kid doesn't want that? Using the term grow food is a better tool in a parent's backpack thank saying "eat your veggies".

Here are the important points I think are worth remembering.

Here are the 10 changes every family must make:1. Shape young tastes early.2. Feed your family the right carbs.3. Feed your family the right fats.4. Feed your children grow foods.5. Feed your family fill-up foods.6. Begin the day with a brainy breakfast.7. Raise a grazer.8. Feed your child's immune system.9. Raise a lean family. Get active as a family.10. Teach your children to be wise supermarket shoppers.

Avoid the "Terrible Threes"1. High-fructose corn syrup (I've been checking labels, and this is in everything. It's going to be tough to completely eliminate this).2. Hydrogenated oils, or "trans fats"3. any color additive with a number symbol attached to it (e.g. blue #1, yellow #5, red #40)

Monday, August 24, 2009

"Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls."Alma 37:34

For Family Home Evening tonight we had a discussion about the importance of family work. We're implementing a new plan for chores for the Ant Bug, and giving her the option of choosing some extra jobs (ie. washing windows or cleaning doorknobs) to earn her own money. Then we can have lessons on tithing and saving and the value of money. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

This was another book club selection and I honestly have to question why. It's a romance novel, but nothing too amazing. Fine for pure fluff, entertainment reading, but I won't encourage anyone to rush off and get your hands on a copy of it.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande

This was a book club pick that was a compelling read. I wasn't sure what I would think about it (and I was nervous about possible graphic descriptions of invasive medical procedures), but this book offered some interesting insights into the medical system. Interesting, worth reading.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."Matthew 16:19

Our Family Home Evening focused on the temple. We played the game from the August 2009 Friend magazine and talked about how we can prepare to go to the temple. Then we watched this Mormon Messages video.

Monday, August 3, 2009

"The book illustrates how reading aloud to your kids can prepare and even teach them to read, improve their speaking skills, expand their vocabulary and (my favorite) strengthen the bond between parent and child. Mem Fox comments, “The time spent reading together provides clear evidence to a child of a parent’s love, care, and focused attention. And it gives the parent a chance to close off the rest of the world, relax, and connect with the child wonderfully.”

My first thought was, "I know reading aloud to children is very important--so why do I need to read this?" But I am glad I picked up a copy from my library. This book brought back my focus to the simple pleasure, enjoyment and importance of reading to my children.

1. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud.

2. Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.

3. Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.

4. Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.

5. Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.

6. Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.

7. Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.

8. Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.

9. Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.

10. Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.

About Me

I graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a BS degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development . Now I'm working on my Masters Degree in Mothering. Anticipated graduation date? Maybe eighty years from now?? Mothering appears to be a lifelong pursuit.